HomeArizonaChandler › Sun Valley Shao-Lin Kempo

Sun Valley Shao-Lin Kempo

4.8 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Chandler, Arizona

Part of Kenpo / Kempo Karate

Karate dojo Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Weapons / kobudo

Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized Karate style organization or franchise (think Shotokan/JKA, Kyokushin, Goju-Ryu, Isshinryu, Tiger Schulmann's or Villari's). If lineage matters to you, ask which style and organization the dojo belongs to, and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Free trial / intro class most dojos welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Weapons / kobudo traditional weapons (kobudo) classes — kata with the bo, sai, and nunchaku, taught with control and discipline
  • Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule shao-linkempo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (480) 466-7595

Hours

Monday 10 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 10 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–8 PM
Thursday 10 AM–8 PM
Friday 10 AM–8 PM
Saturday 9 AM–2 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at Sun Valley Shao-Lin Kempo, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 15 mentions

“He trains adults and children of all ages, which is amazing if you’re looking for something to do with your son or daughter 1 on 1.”

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👤 Private Lessons 2 mentions

“He trains adults and children of all ages, which is amazing if you’re looking for something to do with your son or daughter 1 on 1.”

All dojos that run private lessons →

🛡️ Self-Defense 6 mentions

“Sifu Zach is a knowledgeable, phenomenal and astonishing master instructor that will help you improve your confidence, self-defense and stress management.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

⚔️ Weapons (Kobudo)

All dojos that run weapons (kobudo) →

🌱 Beginners

“As a beginner, Sifu Zach has made my first steps into martial arts very enjoyable.”

All dojos that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Sun Valley Shao-Lin Kempo — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🐉 Kung Fu 2 mentions

“This is a legitimate five-animal style kung fu that teaches the perfect mix of practical self defense, strength training, and mental wellness.”

Other dojos that also teach kung fu →

🛡️ Self-Defense 6 mentions

“Sifu Zach is a knowledgeable, phenomenal and astonishing master instructor that will help you improve your confidence, self-defense and stress management.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 22 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 6 mentions

“Sifu Zach is an excellent instructor, who is very opened minded, kindhearted, and has lots of patience, all excellent attributes of a fine teacher.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“I have never been in a more welcoming and supportive environment and it has truly been an amazing experience.”

friendly, respectful dojo 7 mentions

“I have never been in a more welcoming and supportive environment and it has truly been an amazing experience.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 3 mentions

“The classes at sun valley dojo are very informative, a good form of exercise and always a great experience!”

great workout & fitness 3 mentions
🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“My son loves his class and seems to pick up a lot of what’s being taught and I have seen amazing improvement.”

From the reviews

Genuinely an amazing experience!!! Sifu always puts in the work to make sure he knows how each of his students will learn best and makes sure that he understands how his students will be able to feel the most confident and comfortable.

★★★★★ — Malia, Nov 2024

My boys love coming to Kung Fu. The cost is very reasonable, and the master is great to work with on pricing. He does an excellent job teaching discipline, respect, and strong values while making the classes fun and engaging for the kids. My boys always look forward to coming, and we have had a great experience.

★★★★★ — Ignacio, Apr 2026

I had the pleasure of working with owner Sifu Zach in Lake Havasu City. He is vastly knowledgeable in teaching his art to his students. Check out his new dojo in Chandler and be prepared to learn life-changing skills.

★★★★★ — Gary, Sep 2023

Best dojo! My daughter has grown so much and her self confidence has improved both at school and sports. This is a hidden gem!

★★★★★ — Regina, Apr 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 22 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Sun Valley Shao-Lin Kempo

Sun Valley Shao-Lin Kempo comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at Sun Valley Shao-Lin Kempo

Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Sun Valley Shao-Lin Kempo

1929 E Ray Rd #4, Chandler, AZ85225

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.